Synthesis, characterization and evaluation of the photocatalytic activity of cobalt ferrite-zeolite Y nanocomposite for the degradation of 4-nitrophenol under visible light irradiation
Keywords:
Zeolite, Co ferrite, Photocatalyst, 4-nitrophenolAbstract
Todays, the pollution of drinkable water sources and the destruction of aquatic habitats by organic or inorganic toxins have become the main concerns of researchers. As is clear, 4-nitrophenol has been significantly used as an intermediate for the synthesis of insecticides, synthetic dyes, and agricultural pesticides. Because of their toxicity, high solubility and chemical stability, nitro-aromatic compounds such as nitrophenols and their derivatives are among the hardest compounds in industrial wastewater. In addition, these aromatic compounds are toxic to humans and other organisms even at very low concentrations. Since nitrophenol is not biocompatible, has high stability and high toxicity, the entry of nitrophenol and its derivatives into our body causes potential problems and mutagenicity. Its carcinogenic effect has also been proven. As a result, the removal of 4-NP can be investigated as an essential issue for researchers[1].
Several conventional methods are available for nitrophenol removal such as sonolysis, solvent extraction, chemical reduction, membrane filtration, adsorption and many others. Currently, photocatalysis innovation has been described as a appropriate method to remove pollutants from wastewater [2, 3].
According to this technology, a semiconductor with reasonable bandgap energy absorbs photons of sun based energy to subsequently produce a pair of negative electrons (e-) and a positive hole (h+). After photo-excitation, these generated charge carriers are isolated from the light and exchanged to the surface of semiconductors to activate redox reactions[4].
Cobalt ferrites are a bunch of transition metal oxides that are utilized in various applications including catalysis, battery, and energy storage. These materials exhibit soft magnetic behavior at room temperature with a band gap within the extend 1.57–2.03 eV [5].
On the other hand, due to high photocatalytic activity, low solubility and chemical stability, magnetic materials are a very suitable option for use in other substrates for the ability to separate the catalyst from the reaction medium and reuse it. Using a single semiconductor, like ferrite, leads to a low efficiency of photocatalytic activity [6, 7].
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